Industries such as IT, defence, and financial services remain frequent targets, but the hospitality and retail sectors are also increasingly at risk, according to BT’s study, which found the frequency of cyberattacks
read more
The UK’s largest telecommunications provider has revealed that its platforms detect approximately 2,000 potential cyberattacks every second, highlighting the increasing threats posed to businesses and essential services.
According to BT Group, devices connected to the internet are scanned around 1,000 times per day by malicious entities, meaning cyber threats surface roughly every 90 seconds.
BT’s report underscores the seriousness of these threats, noting that over 75 per cent of the scans are far from harmless. These scans typically represent hackers actively probing for vulnerabilities in the online systems of companies across various sectors.
Industries such as IT, defence, and financial services remain frequent targets, but the hospitality and retail sectors are also increasingly at risk, according to BT.
A key finding from the report is the widespread use of one-time-use disposable bots by hackers. These bots are designed to obscure the source of the cyberattacks, and BT registered a 1,234 per cent rise in new internet protocol (IP) addresses involved in scanning attempts over the course of a year. This suggests a sophisticated and growing effort to breach systems across a wide range of industries.
BT’s findings align with broader research showing that UK businesses are expected to increase their technology investments by 31 per cent in 2024. However, this growth has not been matched by equivalent improvements in cybersecurity measures.
The telecommunications company warns that many businesses are expanding their networks and adding connected devices without adequately updating their cybersecurity strategies, leaving them highly vulnerable to attack.
The increasing number of cyberattacks also mirrors trends across Europe, with officials attributing a rise in attacks to Russian-linked groups. Earlier this year, Juhan Lepassaar, head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), reported a doubling of cyberattacks originating from Russian-based groups between late 2023 and early 2024.
Lepassaar suggested these digital assaults are part of Russia’s broader aggression, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. While the physical conflict rages in Ukraine, Russia has been accused of waging a simultaneous digital war across Europe.
As cyber threats continue to evolve and grow in scale, BT’s findings highlight the urgent need for businesses to not only invest in technology but to also prioritise comprehensive cybersecurity measures. The growing complexity and frequency of cyberattacks suggest that organisations across all sectors need to remain vigilant and proactive in defending their systems from these persistent digital threats.